KF1 to Panasonic HVAC installation guide
This guide describes how to establish communication between the KF1 and most modern Panasonic HVAC units to control battery temperature. Installation of the Panasonic HVAC system should be carried out according to the manufacturer guidelines and installation manual.
The image above shows a Panasonic wall-mounted air conditioning indoor unit -- a white rectangular unit with the Panasonic branding on the lower left.
Required hardware
1. Modbus converter | REQUIRED
- Check compatibility by visiting the Intesis compatibility search and find a model that connects with cable to the indoor or outdoor unit
- Recommended supplier Consteel: PA-RC2-MBS-1 or PA-AC-MBS-1
2. USB to RS485 converter | OPTIONAL
- Only required if the KF1 RS485 port is already in use (e.g. by an inverter connection)
- Recommended supplier Amazon: Waveshare USB to RS485 converter
Wiring instructions
The diagram above shows the complete wiring setup for connecting a KF1 to a Panasonic HVAC unit via an Intesis Modbus converter. The connections are as follows:
Panasonic indoor unit to Intesis converter:
The Panasonic AC indoor unit has an internal electronic control board
Two wires (R1 and R2) connect from the indoor unit's control board to the Intesis converter's R1/R2 and AC Unit terminals
A Panasonic/Sanyo remote controller can optionally be connected in the network (it is not mandatory to have one installed)
Maximum cable distance between the indoor unit and the Intesis converter: 500 m / 1,640 ft
Intesis converter to KF1:
The Intesis converter (dimensions approximately 53 mm / 2.1" wide, 90 mm / 3.5" tall) has an EIA485 output with A+ and B- terminals
The EIA485 A+ and B- terminals connect to a Waveshare USB to RS485 (B) converter
The Waveshare converter has terminal block inputs labelled GND, A+, and B- on one end and a USB connector on the other end
The USB end of the Waveshare converter plugs into the KF1 USB port
Connection summary
From | To | Cable/Method |
Panasonic indoor unit control board (R1, R2) | Intesis converter (R1, R2, AC Unit terminals) | 2-wire cable (max 500 m) |
Intesis converter (EIA485 A+, B-) | Waveshare USB-to-RS485 (A+, B-) | Short wire pair |
Waveshare USB-to-RS485 (USB end) | KF1 **USB** port | USB connection |
Alternative (if KF1 RS485 port is free):
From | To | Cable/Method |
Panasonic indoor unit control board (R1, R2) | Intesis converter (R1, R2, AC Unit terminals) | 2-wire cable (max 500 m) |
Intesis converter (EIA485 A+, B-) | KF1 **RS485** port (terminals 4/5 for +, terminals 1/2 for -) | RS485 cable |